Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown says drug abuse is a crisis that’s killing five Ohioans a day. That’s why he says he’s throwing his support behind a bill that would allow physicians to help more patients using medication-assistance treatment.

Right now, physicians are limited to the number of patients they can treat with suboxone, a drug used to wean people off of opioids and heroin.

“We’ve got a problem when it’s easier for Ohioans to get heroin than it is for them to get treatment," Brown said.

Under the bill, certain nurse practitioners and physician assistants would also be allowed to use suboxone to treat patients.

Brown says he hopes to get more support on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks.